Breaking down the TNA roster

[Guest netslob]

Rhino- He needs to wear an elbowpad.  That spiderweb tattoo sends the wrong message to anyone that is tuned in that can actually understand what it stands for.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

what does it mean?

[Guest Happy Go Nowhere]

I think it implies he's killed a black person, that's what I thought the spiderweb on the elbow tattoo was for.

 

It's a prison thing or something.

[Golgo 13 0]

There's no way I'm going through the entire roster, but Eric Young is great. He bumps and sells well, and can be a great funny, comedic heel with his reactions, expressions, facials, etc., as evidenced in the funeral skit, for example. I'm not saying he should be pushed to the main event, but he's serviceable in a tag team, at least.

[Red Baron 0]

I've seen Eric Young many times live before for a local fed around here. In Ontario he is, if not one of the most of over guys in the Ontario indy wrestling scene, especially over in NSP during 2002-2003. He does sell very well, and can get the crowd really going and can work a good match. He's done numerous amounts of sick spots when I witnessed him live a few times, and his matches with Derek Wylde (who worked with TNA on week 15 I believe) in Ontario are pretty known in Ontario.

[naiwf 0]

"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown I don't get the whole wiping the forehead on the ropes thing.

 

I don't remember when he started doing it, but basically it was part of his gimmick that it was his way to "mark his territory" with the ring being his Serengeti of course. In its own way it makes sense, but it's part and parcel of his whole character.

[Guest [censored]]

He's sharpening his horns, like a wilderbeast or bull would. I think it's somewhat cool actually.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Or maybe Rhino just likes the spiderweb design and put it on his elbow. I know plenty of people with spiderweb ink done on their elbows, as its a pretty ideal place for it.

 

I think that the spiderweb tattoo is one of those things, much like a tattoo of a 13, that may have an alternate meaning, but most people don't think of that meaning when they get it done.

[Guest]

Probably so.

[BUTT 0]

Question: What the hell ever happened to D-Lo Brown in TNA?

[The Niggardly King 0]

He jobbed a lot.

[Guest Coffey]

Or maybe Rhino just likes the spiderweb design and put it on his elbow. I know plenty of people with spiderweb ink done on their elbows, as its a pretty ideal place for it.

 

I think that the spiderweb tattoo is one of those things, much like a tattoo of a 13, that may have an alternate meaning, but most people don't think of that meaning when they get it done.

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There's a lot of things that have different meanings due to years passed too. For example, my friend Chad came over one day and said he was about to "go ballin'" which obviously meant play basketball. Apparently, from my parents time, that meant go have sex.

 

Also, razorblade pendants and whatnot have changed meanings over the years. I like razorblades because they support the whole straight edge lifestyle. Whereas my mom said it meant you did coke...pretty much the complete opposite of what I was going for.

 

I always thought the spiderweb tat just meant you felt "trapped."

 

Question: What the hell ever happened to D-Lo Brown in TNA?

C'mon, duder, he got the Pounce through a table! His career is over!

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Question: What the hell ever happened to D-Lo Brown in TNA?

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After his damn fine series with AJ Styles in '03 (tag bouts and one-on-one), he sorta faded away and then left entirely to tour Japan. He came back in early '04 and did nothing of note until winning the NWA World Tag Team titles with Apolo (who was under a mask as El Leon at the time), and even then the only redeeming quality of those matches was that Kid Kash (ie. the best heel TNA ever had) interfered in a few of them, and two of them were against the team of Kash and Dallas (the latter now known as Lance Hoyt).

 

Interesting how the older generations don't know a damn thing about the younger ones, eh? Well, that's really a given, but hey, it's still kind of annoying. My folks used to not understand the X on the back of my hand either (yeah, L-A-Z, the one who did the drunken TNA review and smokes like a chimney, used to be sXe), saying it was a porn thing, and don't get how it's actually a positive thing these days to be considered a "pimp," but alas...my mom's an angry Portuguese cunt, and my dad's just into hockey.

[Failed Bridge 0]

My folks used to not understand the X on the back of my hand either

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It means you're allowed to be in the club but can't be served alcohol as you aren't of legal age.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

...wiseass.

[Magus 0]

Here's my breakdown, but I'm not doing it alphabetically. Rather, I think of it by division, and if I don't list someone, then they probably suck or are just not important enough:

 

MAIN EVENT/WORLD TITLE:

Jarrett, Raven, Rhino, Hardy, Christian (soon), and Sabu: these are all name guys who need to be dedicated towards bringing up TNA's own brand of stars to carry the ME. Those guys are:

 

AJ Styles: He has some minor flaws, but nothing that can't be worked around. He's the ultimate face who should be the centerpiece of the company instead of Jarrett. A real fued with Jarrett where Styles is treated as a threat would do wonders.

 

The Fallen Angel: Like Styles, but a little better. Probably the best heel they have next to Jarrett, which means he should be the company's top heel instead. Could have an excellent psychological fued with Raven. Think Raven/Dreamer, but with the roles reversed: Daniels stealing Raven's girl, stealing his Flock, etc.

 

Abyss: I've said it before: don't think Mankind/Kane. Think VADER. Or maybe even Andre. Kane's downfall was that he couldn't speak, and by the time he did, it was too late. With Mitchell, Abyss can avoid that. He's destroyed just about everyone, so I'd like to see him go up against more high profile opponents like Monty or Joe.

 

Samoa Joe: I've never seen him till lately, and I think he's fucking amazing. There's nothing more you can ask from him. He's about to rule the X Divison, and one day, he should rule the ME scene in the same way. I'd like to see him test his mettle against someone like Rhino or Raven as he invades the World Title scene.

 

Monty Brown: They're building him like Goldberg when he's more like The Rock. Much like The Rock, he's corny at first, but it somehow becomes okay. He's kinda lumbering in the ring, but that can be hidden by good opponents. He just needs to be looked after. He should be a face, but more of a cocky asshole about it.

 

Ron the Truth Killings: He should be heel. He's got the full package, and he CAN get people to hate him despite his huge amount of talent and charisma. He's the kinda dick heel that impersonates his opponents. He's held back by 3LK, when he good enough to be teaming with Daniels in matches. A fued with Christain would be cool.

 

X DIVISION:

Styles, Daniels, and Joe rule the X Division right now, but I'd rather those three were carrying the company instead of being given their own division so that Jarrett and Co. can hog the ME spotlight. There's plenty of guys competent enough to carry the division:

 

Petey Williams: Very good as a heel. He has a good look and can work well, I think. His credibility goes down with all the cheating, though.

 

Chris Sabin: A good face. Sabin and Williams are like a low-level Styles and Daniels. They're not quite as GREAT, but they're definitely good.

 

Austin Aries: I've never seen him in ROH, and neither have the Orlando fans, but for some reason they cheer him. He needs a character, and strikes me as a really good heel. From the good things I've heard of him, he could ME TNA one day, but he should start out carrying the X Division.

 

Alex Shelley: I like him. He does a lot of subtle stuff as a heel that makes him a real dick, but he needs a chance to talk, I think.

 

Roderick Strong: He does a few neat backbreakers, but he hasn't shone any character. I like the idea of making him TAZ-like in his attitude and work. A ferocious guy who's legitimately dangerous with the backbreakers sounds good.

 

Sonjay Dutt: I don't mind him so much as everyone else, it seems. He at least shows character. Probably next to Sabin in the heirarchy here.

 

Johnny Devine: Bring him back and let him cut loose from Team Canada. He's too good to play a lackey, and Petey is already the frontrunner of that team. Devine can make a name for himself on his own if given the chance.

 

Jerry Lynn: BRING HIM BACK! A grisled veteran to give the rub to others just as he did for Styles. There's so many Lynn matches I'd like to see in TNA: vs. Joe, vs. Daniels, vs. Petey, vs. Sabu, etc.

 

TAG TEAM:

The more teams, the better:

 

AMW: They're actually better now as heels. Sort of like a comedic duo, where Harris plays the straight man and Storm plays the outrageous character. The beer bottle as interference is also a nice touch. In the ring, they don't offend me, as they're just brawlers anyway.

 

Team 3D: As the top face tag team, they're fine, but at some point, I'd like to see them put over the other teams. The challenge for them will be to keep from getting stale like they did in WWE.

 

The James Gang: If they can recapture what they had in the Attitude Era, good for them. They certainly won't be anything special in the ring, but charisma goes a long way. Maybe keep Truth around them as a new version of DX. They should always do heelish things to keep them edgy. Otherwise, they're pandering to the audience, and then its just 3LK all over again.

 

Team Canada: Roode and Young. I like the dynamic of a tough guy and a bumper. I don't mind D'Amore helping out here, as it should be obvious to the audience that Young is the weak link in the team and needs protection. They're an odd couple, like AMW. Young is the chickenshit, while Roode is looking for a fight.

 

The Naturals: I don't mind them, but they need more character besides two guys who wear pink and black. They're good workers, but they need an edge (straight edge gimmick, maybe?) so they don't look like two guys stuck together.

 

Bentley/Siaki: These two are just too marketable to waste. Can be either heel or face. Both men play cocky to a T, and neither really fits in with the X Division, I feel. Each is better in a tag team, so there ya go.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Jerry Lynn:  BRING HIM BACK!  A grisled veteran to give the rub to others just as he did for Styles.  There's so many Lynn matches I'd like to see in TNA: vs. Joe, vs. Daniels, vs. Petey, vs. Sabu, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's injured still from what I've read. He is working as a Road Agent for TNA during the injury though.

[BUTT 0]

What I meant about D-Lo is when and why did he leave? There was so much hype for him when he first came in, but he really was forgotten within a few months.

[razazteca 0]

Maybe Rhyno is a comic book fan.

[Guest SavageRulz]

"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown

IMO, one of the biggest wastes of space on the roster. Is he over? Yes, so I guess he's not THAT big of a waste, but has he had a good match since returning to TNA in early '04? No. I like how the Pounce can be hit from anywhere, practically, but it's a fucking SHOULDER TACKLE. Few people sell it right at all, and it doesn't look NEARLY devastating enough for him to be considered anywhere near the main event with it.

 

[

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He's not had a good match? The Jarrett title match on Impact was excellent, and he was in Monsters Ball, his matches with Abyss have always been good.

 

Has he had any AMAZING greatest TNA matches? No. He doesn't need to. He has the look, the charisma, he's over, and has things that almost all of that TNA roster don't.

 

The Pounce looks better and better the more I see it, and it's stupidly over with TNA fans.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown

IMO, one of the biggest wastes of space on the roster. Is he over? Yes, so I guess he's not THAT big of a waste, but has he had a good match since returning to TNA in early '04? No. I like how the Pounce can be hit from anywhere, practically, but it's a fucking SHOULDER TACKLE. Few people sell it right at all, and it doesn't look NEARLY devastating enough for him to be considered anywhere near the main event with it.

 

[

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

He's not had a good match? The Jarrett title match on Impact was excellent, and he was in Monsters Ball, his matches with Abyss have always been good.

 

Has he had any AMAZING greatest TNA matches? No. He doesn't need to. He has the look, the charisma, he's over, and has things that almost all of that TNA roster don't.

 

The Pounce looks better and better the more I see it, and it's stupidly over with TNA fans.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dislike all Jarrett matches inherently (yes, I'm biased as hell), haven't seen Monster's Ball, and haven't seen his matches with Abyss. Though I actually won't doubt I'd enjoy Monster's Ball and the Abyss series, since I'm a fan of garbage wrestling and of Abyss.

[dubq 0]

I really do not dig Monty Brown. Seriously. I don't see where all of the "he's so charismatic" talk comes from because I don't see it. I just see an average, but not big, guy with awful mic skills, a tackey leopard print coat, and a stupid finisher. *shrug*

[dubq 0]

OOPS - double post. Anyway, I'll use this moment to say that maybe if the pounce was some sort of 360 degree lariat, that sent the opponent reeling, it'd be a bit more believeable. As it stands right now, as Corey said, it's a freaking shoulder tackle. *yawn*

[LaParkaYourCar 0]

The problem isn't necessarily that Jarrett can't wrestle, because he can. It's that outside of TNA most fans don't take Jarrett seriously. An outsider would look at TNA and say, "Jeff Jarrett is their champ? Could they not find anyone better?" and they will then assume that the rest of the roster must suck in comparison.

 

I'd almost say a younger, lesser known, wrestler as champ might make a bigger impact on an outsider to TNA. Atleast then they can say, "Hmmm I wonder if this guy is any good," as opposed to having pre-conceived notions. Let's say someone like Monty Brown or Samoa Joe were TNA Champ, then the outsiders would want to check him out to see what he was like.

 

Most fans not familiar with TNA, when they think Jarrett either think "that country singer/wrestler guy from the mid 90's" or "that guitar swinging guy from WCW's crappy later years."

[Guest [censored]]

I like Jarrett and I thought it made alot of sense for him to be the champion for a while. The Raven destiny angle and AJ Styles chase were all good programs and were made better with having Jarrett as champion. But I don't think this is the case any longer. I actually thought having an ECW like unstoppable Rhino would have been an interersting way to go and would have made an excellent foil for Monty Brown.

 

Jarrett gets alot of heat but at this point he would get that with or with out being Champion. I'd prefer him to be the guy you have to go through before you get the title shot, where he is using that heat and experience to build some people up.

 

Also the guitar thing is stupid on so many levels it's angering. He needs to stop doing that pronto if he ever wants to stop looking like a jack ass

[dubq 0]

Not only that but if he doesn't want to be saddled with the "that country singer guy from mid-90's wwf" stigma. then he should just get rid of the frigging guitar already and use a chair like everyone else.

[Annabelle 0]

the worst are lance hoyt & matt bentley. both are so useless. so is jeff hardy. but whatever. his fans annoy me moreso than him, i guess. like that broad painted in yellow on the primetime special. go slit yer wrists. ho.

 

edit

 

add monty brown to the list. what an annoying waste.